# NTSB CHI88DEX06: Piper J3, N42684, Bedford, IN, July 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1988, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, IN
- Coordinates: 38.860919, -86.489608 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8609&lon=-86.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEX06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEX06

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,timing gear - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1000 FEET AGL WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A BACKFIRE FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATE AND TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN RUGGED, ROCKY TERRAIN. LANDING GEAR SHEARED OFF ON ROLLOUT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILURE OF MAGNETO TIMING GEAR, AND ITS FOUR ATTACHING BOLTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42684](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42684), registered now, S/N 14979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14979
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald G. Henderson
- Registered owner: Donald G. Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987, 55 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,661 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,546 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880701026169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880701026169A), Jul 1, 1988: Piper J3C65, Bedford, IN, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Crash landed in a rough field. Magneto crankshaft drive gear bolts failed. Had been loose some time.

## Other investigations on N42684 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB MIA77FKT63](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKT63), Apr 16, 1977: Piper J-3 (N42684), Moore Haven, FL, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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